River Life 9/15

Christopher Letts saw kestrels like this one chasing each other as well as a hawk in Croton Point.

Aug. 20

Hyde Park: It has been quite a summer with a milk snake on the deck, a black snake in the garage, and a gray tree frog that took over our patio umbrella as his own personal "tree." When we raised the patio umbrella around mid-day, not only was the tree frog there clinging, but up in the canopy were two roosting little brown bats. The motion of the rising umbrella caused one to lose its grip and both took off. They returned shortly thereafter. However, their arrival coincided with that of our resident male hummingbird, who has an attitude. He chased the bats until they were out of sight.

Aug. 21

Hyde Park: Thirteen years ago today, after 12 months of searching with ground penetrating radar, a backhoe and much human effort, a team of paleontologists from Cornell University at last found the "bone pit" of a mastodon buried in the matrix adjacent to the Fall Kill. Radiocarbon analysis of the tusks of this now-extinct form of elephant returned a date of 11,500 years ago (13,000 calendar years), the dawn of human presence in the Hudson Valley.

Fishkill: While her youngsters foraged and frolicked nearby this morning, a mother wild turkey enjoyed a relaxing and invigorating "spa moment" for herself beneath a large black walnut tree in my yard. She settled down and then rolled about in the loose soil that may have released many ants or other insects as she also continued to peck the soil. After 20 minutes of this attendant action, she calmly strutted off with her brood of six poults, totally refreshed and with feathers gleaming in the soft dappled light of the morning woods.

Aug. 23

Catskill: I knew that I had missed the first act of the drama that was unfolding along the Kaaterskill. An adult bald eagle was driving a raven down into the tree line, likely in retaliation of an earlier encounter. Ravens - smaller, more agile, and prone to being agitators - are well known as harassers of eagles. On occasion, however, given the opportunity, eagles will turn the tables and the pursuers find themselves being chased.

Rhinebeck: In the flower garden today I saw my first monarch butterfly of the year.

Aug. 24

Croton Point: Before I ever got out of the truck this morning, I saw kestrels chasing kestrels; kestrels chasing sharp-shinned hawks; crows chasing a sharp-shinned hawk; and a kettle of turkey vultures. Later, on an hour-long walk around and over the landfill, I counted a dozen ospreys and two monarchs.

ADVERTISEMENT

Most Popular

Most Commented

More Headlines

Most Viewed

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Email this article

River Life 9/15

Aug. 20Hyde Park: It has been quite a summer with a milk snake on the deck, a black snake in the garage, and a gray tree frog that took over our patio umbrella as his own personal 'tree.' When we